Page 75 of Go Deep

Yelling. Fucking great.

With my shoulders squared, I trudge down the mahogany-paneled hallway toward my father’s corner office where the voices are getting louder and louder. I don’t bother knocking, just push open the heavy wooden door which still can’t blunt the angry words flying back and forth.

Bob whirls around when I step into the office. His face is damn near purple and his eyes so wide, I think they could pop out of his skull. I’d very much like to see that happen.

“Do you realize what you’ve just done to your father’s career, Vincent? And to your own? You need to make a statement as soon as possible apologizing for what happened and any impressions you might have given with that video. You have a sliver of a chance to salvage your father’s campaign. I have my publicist drafting something right now, and then she will schedule a press conference?—”

I glance at Eva where she stands at the corner of Dad’s desk next to him. Her face is pale and she grips the edge of the desk, her knuckles white. Dad looks at me like he doesn’t really see me. His eyes are glazed, like he’s just heard something and can’t quite process the confusion around it.

“So I can assume that you’ve all seen the video.” I take a deep breath and nod. “And I’m sure you’d all like to hear an explanation.”

“I don’t give a fuck where you want to stick your dick, Vincent. You have a role to play in this campaign and as my business partner.” Bob balls his hands into tight fists. “So you only stick it where I sayyou will!”

I lift an eyebrow. “I told you I wanted to buy you out. Is it my fault you passed on a great fucking offer?”

“You pretentious little prick,” Bob growls, stomping over to me. “All you had to do was play nice for the cameras with Kim. I gave you someone to fuck. Handed her over on a silver platter.”

“So you not only lie, extort, and threaten to slander, but you also admit to prostituting your own daughter as part of your plan to take over the world.” I shake my head. “That’s fucked up, Bob.”

“Don’t tell me how to run my businesses. I’ve made a lot of money doing things my way, and I’m not about to let you torch them because you got a hard-on for your co-host. I will make this disappear. And you will cooperate…or suffer the consequences.”

“I’m not a chess piece in your game of empire-building. There won’t be a press conference, and I’m sure as hell not making any statement that comes from your publicist.” I fold my arms over my chest. “I don’t have to explain myself to you, either.”

“If you don’t want to see your father’s campaign crumble like a stale cake, then you will do everything I say.”

“Vince,” Dad rasps.

I tear my glare off of Bob and look at my father. His eyes are disbelieving, brows knitted in confusion. He takes a few steps toward me, pressing a hand to his forehead. “It’s true, isn’t it?” It’s a question, but the way he says it sounds like he already knows the answer.

“Yeah, it’s true.”

“For how long?”

“I’ve known for a really long time. Never did anything about it until the other night.”

I watch his face fall faster and faster with each admission. “And all this time, all of those women…it was for my benefit?”

“Dad, I was afraid if you knew the truth, it’d ruin our relationship. That’s why I never did anything. You have a clear stance on gays and their lifestyle, and I didn’t want to lose you like we lost Mom. If you want the presidency, I want that for you, too.”

Dad sinks into his chair and runs his hand over his head. “I do want the presidency. I want it so badly because I feel like I’ve failed at so many other things in my life. So I took on views that I don’t necessarily believe in because I needed support to get to the next level. Little did I know, I betrayed myself and my son in the process.” He sits back in the chair, a deep sigh expelling from his lips.

“Wait,” Eva interrupts. “Are you saying you don’t agree with your platform?”

The disturbing purplish color creeps down the sides of Bob’s neck and into his ears.

“It was a requirement that I say I’m against gay marriage.” Dad throws a pointed look at Bob. “It was the only way to get the financial support and the network I needed. Or thought I needed, anyway.”

“You have an entire platform, Dad. Why would you think people wouldn’t vote for you on those items alone? Why would you want to alienate a whole group of potential voters who might agree with your other proposals?”

“Because he knew he needed me in his corner. And now with your video, you’re fucking blowing up that support network. You’re running right into the arms of the people we’re trying to beat!”

“What the hell is your issue with the LGBTQ+ community, Bob?” Eva snaps. “What have they ever done to you?”

Bob glowers at her. “You don’t get to ask me questions. Mymoney, my fucking rules. And if you want to keep the money and the support, you’re going to make the goddamn statement, Vincent. Or I will crush you all.”

“He’s not making a statement.” Dad rises from his chair, shaking slightly. He leans forward onto his hands. “He’s not apologizing for anything.”

“Dad.” Eva puts her arm out to steady him, but he waves it away.

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